‘Who will unsubscribe from such objectionable articles?’ Givenchy criticized for “noose chain” | Fashion

Givenchy and its creative director Matthew M Williams were called after a “blatantly insulting” necklace that resembled a noose appeared in their collection.

The spring / summer women’s and men’s show, which debuted in Paris yesterday, featured an accessory that resembled a broken noose. Many online noted its resemblance to Burberry’s “loop hoodie” featured in their Fall / Winter 2019 collection. At the time, Marco Gobbetti, CEO of Burberry, apologized and said he was “deeply sorry for the hardship.” Creative Director Riccardo Tisci, the predecessor of Williams at Givenchy, said it was “insensitive”.

Burberry apologized for the “tough” hoodie that Liz Kennedy modeled at London Fashion Week in February 2019. Photo: Vianney Le Caer / Invision / AP

Fashion industry watchdog Diet Prada, who pointed out the similarities between the “noose” necklace and the Burberry hoodie, wrote on Instagram: “You’d think the industry had learned, not things that a noose around a model’s neck could do resemble to put around the neck … really makes you wonder how no one noticed, but unfortunately … history repeats itself. “

Angela McRobbie, a professor of media, communication and cultural studies at Goldsmiths University of London, also expressed frustration with the imagery. “I’m not sure what to say here, given the tired and exhausted ‘urge to shock’ or the absolute thoughtlessness,” she told the Guardian. “For me, the questions that are relevant but never answered are: Who are the decision-makers behind the scenes? Who signs such obviously objectionable articles? If there is a reaction, will they be fired? ”She asked,“ Is there a cynical agenda to shock the offending article and then quickly retract it to get the media attention it deserves? ”

Following the Burberry controversy, model Liz Kennedy, who modeled the hoodie on the 2019 show, posted a long caption on Instagram. “Suicide is not a fashion,” she wrote. “… How could anyone overlook this and think that it would be okay to do this especially in a row for young girls and teenagers … Not to mention the rising suicide rates around the world. Let’s not forget the terrible story of lynching either. “

Lisa Roxby of the Suicide Prevention Charity Papyrus told the Guardian, “Those who have a personal connection to suicide, whether through personal experience or the loss of a loved one, can be triggered by such images, and brands have a responsibility to ensure that they do no harm to their audience. “

Givenchy told the Guardian, “The House has no official answer to that.”